Ken Holland: “I’ve been hot after Corey” Perry for years

The news that had been reported over the weekend has now become official - veteran forward Corey Perry has inked a contract with the Edmonton Oilers shortly after being told by Commissioner Gary Bettman that he was eligible to return. 

And not surprisingly, Oilers GM Ken Holland admitted that he's been trying to acquire Perry for years now. 

“I’ve been hot after Corey the last few years,” Holland said at the press conference to announce the signing of Perry. “I think he’s the type of player that every team wants on their team.”

It's certainly been part of Holland's forte during his managerial career to acquire veteran players who are well past their prime but who he feels can still contribute in meaningful ways.

“Between the hockey, what he brings to a hockey team, his winning pedigree and what he’s done over the last two months to make himself a better person, we felt this was an opportunity to add a player who can make us better on and off the ice," Holland said. "He’s a great leader."

“Come playoff time you think of blue-paint goals, greasy goals, and that’s what Corey stands for…. We’re adding a player that plays playoff hockey: greasy, gritty, dirty, heavy on the puck down low.”

Perry won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, his second year in the NHL. He's also helped Team Canada to success on the international stage, winning the gold medal during the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Winter Games. 

“Certainly he’s been on a lot of winning teams," Holland said.

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